David Duke entered the race for U.S. Senate denying he harbors any racist views and declaring he would fight to save American heritage from "attack" by immigrants.
The former Ku Klux Klan leader, who lost bids for the Senate in 1990 and the governor's seat a year later, was one of 10 candidates who filed Wednesday, the opening day of the three-day qualifying period for the Sept. 21 open primary."My main focus will be on restoring and protecting the prosperity, the heritage and freedom of this country," said Duke, a Republican, echoing a theme from his Internet home page where he defines American heritage as white and Christian.
"Our heritage is under attack," he said. "We have massive legal and illegal immigration from all over the world and basically the traditional elements of this country will be a minority if this continues."
In Louisiana's open primary, candidates of both parties run on the same ballot, and the top two meet in the general election. Black Congressman Cleo Fields is expected to announce by Friday whether he will seek the Senate seat, held by retiring Democratic Sen. Bennett Johnston.